U.S. patent application number 15/449003 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-02 for vehicle front portion structure equipped with pedestrian airbag device.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Shinya KAMIMURA.
Application Number | 20170313277 15/449003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60081474 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170313277 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KAMIMURA; Shinya |
November 2, 2017 |
VEHICLE FRONT PORTION STRUCTURE EQUIPPED WITH PEDESTRIAN AIRBAG
DEVICE
Abstract
A vehicle front portion structure, equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device, comprises: a cowl comprising a cowl panel and a cowl
front panel extending in a forward direction from a front end
portion of the cowl panel; an inflator disposed with a longitudinal
direction of the inflator coinciding with a vehicle width direction
and secured to the cowl front panel; an airbag disposed above the
cowl front panel and deployed obliquely in a vehicle rearward and
upward direction and outwardly in the vehicle width direction by
gas from the inflator; and a support member having one end portion
secured to a front suspension tower, extending toward the cowl, and
secured to the cowl front panel on a vehicle front side relative to
a rear end of the inflator in the vehicle frontward and rearward
direction.
Inventors: |
KAMIMURA; Shinya;
(Toyota-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Toyota-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
60081474 |
Appl. No.: |
15/449003 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 21/36 20130101;
B62D 25/081 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 21/36 20110101
B60R021/36; B62D 25/08 20060101 B62D025/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2016 |
JP |
2016-091033 |
Claims
1. A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device, the vehicle front portion structure comprising: a
cowl comprising a cowl panel and a cowl front panel, the cowl front
panel extending in a forward direction from a front end portion in
a vehicle frontward and rearward direction of the cowl panel; an
inflator disposed with a longitudinal direction of the inflator
coinciding with a vehicle width direction above the cowl front
panel and secured to the cowl front panel; an airbag disposed above
the cowl front panel and inflated and deployed obliquely in a
vehicle rearward and upward direction and outwardly in the vehicle
width direction by gas discharged from the inflator; and a support
member having one end portion configured to be secured to a front
suspension tower, extending toward the cowl, and secured to the
cowl front panel on a vehicle front side relative to a rear end of
the inflator in the vehicle frontward and rearward direction.
2. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: the front suspension
tower is configured to be placed on a vehicle front side of the
inflator, and another end portion of the support member is secured
to the cowl panel.
3. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 2, wherein: the cowl further
comprises a cowl brace, the cowl panel includes a front wall, a
rear wall, and a bottom wall, the cowl brace is secured to the
front wall and the rear wall of the cowl panel, a chamber is formed
by the front wall, the rear wall, the bottom wall and the cowl
brace, and the other end portion of the support member is secured
to a portion where the front wall of the cowl panel and the cowl
brace are secured to each other.
4. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: the inflator is
fastened and secured to the cowl front panel at at least two
fastening portions aligned in the vehicle width direction, and a
portion where the support member and the cowl front panel are
secured to each other is aligned with at least one of the fastening
portions within a region in the vehicle width direction where the
inflator is placed.
5. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 4, wherein the portion where the
support member and the cowl front panel are secured to each other
is placed between the two fastening portions of the inflator.
6. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: the vehicle front
portion structure has a right and left pair of the inflators
aligned in the vehicle width direction, and the pair of inflators
discharge gas from gas discharge portions disposed in their vehicle
width direction outer end portions, and their vehicle width
direction inner end portions are linked by a connection member.
7. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: the vehicle front
portion structure has a right and left pair of the support members,
each support member having one end portion configured to be secured
to either one of a right and left pair of the front suspension
towers, and the inflator is placed at a vehicle width direction
central portion of the cowl front panel and discharges gas from a
right and left pair of gas discharge portions disposed in both
vehicle width direction end portions of the inflator.
8. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the support member has
a support portion positioned obliquely on a vehicle front and lower
side of the inflator, and the support portion is secured to the
cowl front panel.
9. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein: the cowl panel has a
front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall, a rear end portion of
the cowl front panel being secured to a front flange disposed at an
upper end portion of the front wall, and the cowl further comprises
a cowl bracket, one end portion of the cowl bracket being secured
to the rear end portion of the cowl front panel, the cowl bracket
extending in the vehicle rearward direction, and another end
portion of the cowl bracket being secured to the bottom wall or the
rear wall of the cowl panel.
10. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 3, wherein: a rear end portion of
the cowl front panel is secured to a front flange disposed at an
upper end portion of the front wall, and the cowl further comprises
a cowl bracket, one end portion of the cowl bracket being secured
to the rear end portion of the cowl front panel, the cowl bracket
extending in the vehicle rearward direction, and another end
portion of the cowl bracket being secured to the bottom wall or the
rear wall of the cowl panel.
11. The vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device according to claim 1, wherein the one end portion of
the support member is configured to be secured to a top wall of the
front suspension tower.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 from
Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-91033, filed on Apr. 28, 2016,
the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] Preferred embodiments relate to a vehicle front portion
structure equipped with a pedestrian airbag device.
Related Art
[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No.
2003-252139 discloses a pedestrian airbag device where an airbag
module having an airbag and an inflator is disposed above a cowl
panel configuring a cowl. The airbag module is fastened and secured
to a front end portion of the cowl panel using stud bolts of the
inflator.
SUMMARY
[0004] In this connection, in vehicles where a cowl front panel is
disposed in the cowl so as to extend in the vehicle frontward
direction from the front end portion of the cowl panel, there are
cases where the airbag module is disposed above the cowl front
panel.
[0005] The cowl front panel has a cantilever structure supported
from the vehicle rear side, so at the time of airbag deployment,
the reaction force acting on the inflator is applied to the cowl
front panel, resulting in the cowl becoming deformed a great
extent. As a result, there is the potential for the deployment
direction of the airbag to no longer be stable.
[0006] In consideration of the circumstances described above, it is
an object of preferred embodiments to provide a vehicle front
portion structure equipped with a pedestrian airbag device that, in
a structure where the inflator is disposed above the cowl front
panel, can effectively control deformation of the cowl at the time
of airbag deployment.
[0007] A vehicle front portion structure, that is equipped with a
pedestrian airbag device, of a first aspect of the disclosure
includes: a cowl, an inflator, an air bag, and a support member.
The cowl comprises a cowl panel and a cowl front panel, and the
cowl front panel extends in a forward direction from a front end
portion in a vehicle frontward and rearward direction of the cowl
panel. The inflator is disposed with its longitudinal direction
coinciding with the vehicle width direction above the cowl front
panel and is secured to the cowl front panel. The airbag is
disposed above the cowl front panel and is inflated and deployed
obliquely in a vehicle rearward and upward direction and outwardly
in the vehicle width direction by gas discharged from the inflator.
The support member has one end portion secured to a front
suspension tower, extends toward the cowl, and is secured to the
cowl front panel on a vehicle front side relative to a rear end of
the inflator in the vehicle frontward and rearward direction.
[0008] According to the first aspect of the disclosure, the support
member has one end portion secured to the strong and rigid front
suspension tower and extends toward the cowl. The support member is
secured to the cowl front panel on the vehicle front side relative
to the rear end of the inflator. Here, when the airbag is supplied
with gas from the inflator and inflates and deploys obliquely in
the vehicle rearward and upward direction and outwardly in the
vehicle width direction, reaction force in obliquely forward and
downward direction and reaction force inwardly in the vehicle width
direction act on the inflator. The cowl front panel is supported by
the support member on the vehicle front side relative to the rear
end of the inflator. Because of this, deformation of the cowl at
the time of airbag deployment can be effectively controlled.
[0009] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a second aspect of the disclosure includes the
first aspect, and moreover, the front suspension tower is
configured to be placed on the vehicle front side of the inflator,
and another end portion of the support member is secured to the
cowl panel.
[0010] According to the second aspect of the disclosure, one end
portion of the support member is secured to the front suspension
tower placed on the vehicle front side of the inflator, and another
end portion of the support member is secured to the cowl panel. The
support member is secured to the cowl front panel on the vehicle
front side relative to the rear end of the inflator. Because of
this, vibration of the cowl front panel at the time when the
inflator is activated can be allowed to escape via the support
member to a member on the vehicle rear side such as the cowl
panel.
[0011] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a third aspect of the disclosure includes the
second aspect, and moreover, the cowl further comprises a cowl
brace, the cowl panel includes a front wall, a rear wall, and a
bottom wall, the cowl brace is secured to the front wall and the
rear wall of the cowl panel, a chamber is formed by the front wall,
the rear wall, the bottom wall and the cowl brace, and the other
end portion of the support member is secured to a portion where the
front wall and the cowl brace are secured to each other.
[0012] In the third aspect of the disclosure, the other end portion
of the support member is secured to the portion where the front
wall of the cowl panel and the cowl brace are secured to each
other. The cowl brace is secured to the front wall and the rear
wall of the cowl panel, and forms the chamber together with the
front wall, the rear wall, and the bottom wall of the cowl panel.
The portion where the front wall of the cowl panel and the cowl
brace are secured to each other is reinforced by the chamber, so
the other end portion of the support member is strongly supported.
Because of this, the rigidity with which the cowl front panel is
supported by the support member is improved, so deformation of the
cowl at the time of airbag deployment can be even more effectively
controlled.
[0013] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a fourth aspect of the disclosure includes any one
of the first to third aspects, and moreover, the inflator is
fastened and secured to the cowl front panel at at least two
fastening portions aligned in the vehicle width direction, and the
portion where the support member and the cowl front panel are
secured to each other is aligned with at least one of the fastening
portions within a region in the vehicle width direction where the
inflator is placed.
[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the disclosure, the
inflator is fastened and secured to the cowl front panel at the at
least two fastening portions aligned in the vehicle width
direction. As mentioned above, vehicle width direction inward
reaction forces act on the inflator at the time of airbag
deployment. The vehicle width direction inward reaction forces also
act on the two fastening portions. With respect to this point, in
the present aspect, one end portion of the support member is
secured to the front suspension tower, and the portion where the
support member and the cowl front panel are secured to each other
is aligned with at least one of the fastening portions in the
region in the vehicle width direction where the inflator is placed.
Because of this, the vehicle width direction inward forces acting
on the at least one fastening portion can be efficiently supported
by the support member.
[0015] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a fifth aspect of the disclosure includes the
fourth aspect, and moreover, the portion where the support member
and the cowl front panel are secured to each other is placed
between the two fastening portions.
[0016] In the fifth aspect of the disclosure, the inflator is
fastened and secured to the cowl front panel at the at least two
fastening portions aligned in the vehicle width direction, so the
section of the cowl front panel between the two fastening portions
is reinforced by the inflator. The portion where the support member
and the cowl front panel are secured to each other is placed in
this reinforced section. Because of this, compared to a case where
this portion is placed away from the two fastening portions, the
vehicle width direction inward forces acting on the fastening
portions at the time of airbag deployment can be efficiently
supported by the support member. Moreover, forces input to the
front suspension tower at the time of normal travel are transmitted
via the support member to the section reinforced by the inflator,
so deformation of the cowl front panel at this reinforced section
is controlled, and the support rigidity of the support member is
improved. As a result, the front suspension member to which the one
end portion of the support member is secured is reinforced by the
support member, so the steering stability and riding performance of
the vehicle can be improved.
[0017] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a sixth aspect of the disclosure includes any one
of the first to fifth aspects, and moreover, the vehicle front
portion structure has a right and left pair of the inflators
aligned in the vehicle width direction, and the pair of inflators
discharge gas from gas discharge portions disposed at vehicle width
direction outer end portions of the inflators, and their vehicle
width direction inner end portions are linked by a connection
member.
[0018] According to the sixth aspect of the disclosure, the vehicle
width direction inner end portions of the right and left pair of
inflators are linked by the connection member. Because of this,
when the right and left pair of inflators discharge gas from the
gas discharge portions disposed in their vehicle width direction
outer end portions, the reaction forces applied inward in the
vehicle width direction to the respective inflators can be
cancelled out.
[0019] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a seventh aspect of the disclosure includes any
one of the first to fourth aspects, and moreover, the vehicle front
portion structure has a right and left pair of the support members,
each support member has one end portion secured to either one of a
right and left pair of the front suspension towers, and the
inflator is placed at the vehicle width direction central portion
of the cowl front panel and discharges gas from a right and left
pair of gas discharge portions disposed at both vehicle width
direction end portions of the inflator.
[0020] According to the seventh aspect of the disclosure, the
inflator is placed at the vehicle width direction central portion
of the cowl front panel and discharges gas from the right and left
pair of gas discharge portions disposed in both vehicle width
direction end portions of the inflator. At this time, the reaction
forces acting inward in the vehicle width direction on both end
portions of the inflator can be cancelled out by the inflator
itself. Furthermore, in the present aspect, the right and left pair
of support members each has one end portion secured to either one
of the right and left pair of front suspension towers, extend
toward the cowl, and are secured to the cowl front panel on the
vehicle front side relative to the rear end of the inflator.
Because the present aspect is configured in this way, the portions
where the right and left support members and the cowl front panel
are secured to each other can be placed in the neighborhoods on the
vehicle front sides of the right and left gas discharge portions of
the inflator. Because of this, the obliquely forward and downward
reaction forces applied to the right and left gas discharge
portions at the time of airbag deployment can be efficiently
supported by the right and left support members.
[0021] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of an eighth aspect of the disclosure includes any
one of the first to seventh aspects, and moreover, the support
member has a support portion positioned obliquely on the vehicle
front and lower side of the inflator, and the support portion is
secured to the cowl front panel.
[0022] In the eighth aspect of the disclosure, the support portion
is positioned in the acting direction of the reaction force that
acts obliquely in the vehicle frontward and downward direction on
the inflator at the time of airbag deployment. Because of this, the
reaction force can be efficiently supported by the support
portion.
[0023] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a ninth aspect of the disclosure includes any one
of the first to eighth aspects, and moreover, the cowl panel has a
front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom wall, a rear end portion of
the cowl front panel being secured to a front flange disposed on an
upper end portion of the front wall. The cowl further includes a
cowl bracket, one end portion of the cowl bracket is secured to the
rear end portion of the cowl front panel, the cowl bracket extends
in the vehicle rearward direction, and the other end portion of the
cowl bracket is secured to the bottom wall or the rear wall of the
cowl panel.
[0024] In the ninth aspect of the disclosure, the rear end portion
of the cowl front panel is secured to the front flange disposed at
the upper end portion of the front wall of the cowl panel. The one
end portion of the cowl bracket is secured to the rear end portion
of the cowl front panel. The cowl bracket extends in the vehicle
rearward direction, and the other end portion of the cowl bracket
is secured to the bottom wall or the rear wall of the cowl panel.
Because of this, the cowl front panel is supported from the vehicle
rear side by the cowl bracket, so the support of the cowl front
panel with respect to the obliquely forward and downward reaction
force can be reinforced.
[0025] A vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian
airbag device of a tenth aspect of the disclosure includes any one
of the first to ninth aspects, and moreover, the one end portion of
the support member is configured to be secured to a top wall of the
front suspension tower.
[0026] According to the tenth aspect of the disclosure, the support
member has the one end portion secured to the top wall of the front
suspension tower and extends toward the cowl from the top wall.
Because of this, the support member can be disposed on the vehicle
upper side of parts (engine, transmission, auxiliaries, etc.)
disposed in the area around the front suspension tower and the
cowl, so it is easy to ensure space for disposing the support
member, and the flexibility for setting the shape of the support
member may be improved.
[0027] As described above, in the vehicle front portion structure
equipped with a pedestrian airbag device of the preferred
embodiments, deformation of the cowl at the time of airbag
deployment can be effectively controlled in a structure where the
inflator is disposed above the cowl front panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle front portion
structure equipped with a pedestrian airbag device pertaining to a
first embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the vehicle front portion
structure pertaining to a first embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross
section along line F3-F3 of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross
section along line F4-F4 of FIG. 2;
[0032] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross
section along line F5-F5 of FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a cross
section along line F6-F6 of FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing part of FIG.
1;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the configuration shown in
FIG. 7 as seen from the vehicle lower side;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, corresponding to part of
FIG. 3, for describing the suppression of vibration of a cowl front
panel at the time of normal travel;
[0037] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing part of FIG.
1 and is for describing the deployment direction of an airbag;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, corresponding to part of
FIG. 3, for describing the deployment direction of the airbag and
obliquely forward and downward reaction forces acting on inflators
at the time of airbag deployment;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, corresponding to part of
FIG. 5, for describing the obliquely forward and downward reaction
forces acting on the inflators at the time of airbag
deployment;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a plan view, corresponding to part of FIG. 2, for
describing vehicle width direction inward reaction forces acting on
the inflators at the time of airbag deployment;
[0041] FIG. 14 is a plan view, corresponding to part of FIG. 2, for
describing the reinforcement of front suspension towers at the time
of normal travel;
[0042] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, corresponding to part of
FIG. 6, showing circumstances at the time of airbag deployment;
[0043] FIG. 16 is a plan view, corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a
vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian airbag
device pertaining to a second embodiment of the disclosure; and
[0044] FIG. 17 is a plan view, corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a
vehicle front portion structure equipped with a pedestrian airbag
device pertaining to a third embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
First Embodiment
[0045] A vehicle front portion structure 10 equipped with a
pedestrian airbag device (hereinafter abbreviated as "the vehicle
front portion structure 10") pertaining to a first embodiment will
be described on the basis of FIG. 1 to FIG. 15. It should be noted
that there will be cases where the reference signs of some members
are omitted from the drawings in order to make it easier to see
what is shown in those drawings. Furthermore, arrow FR, arrow UP,
and arrow RH appropriately shown in the drawings indicate a forward
direction (traveling direction), an upward direction, and a
rightward direction of the vehicle, respectively. Hereinafter, when
description is given simply using the directions of front/rear,
upper/lower, and right/left, unless otherwise specified these will
be understood to mean front/rear in the vehicle frontward and
rearward direction, upper/lower in the vehicle vertical direction,
and right/left in the vehicle rightward and leftward direction (the
vehicle width direction).
[0046] (Configuration)
[0047] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a front portion of a vehicle
V to which the vehicle front portion structure 10 is applied is
disposed with a right and left pair of apron upper members 12, a
right and left pair of front suspension towers 14, a front
windshield 16, a cowl 30, an airbag module 60, and a right and left
pair of steering stabilizing braces (support members) 80. The
airbag module 60 includes an airbag 64 and a right and left pair of
inflators 65. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, a hood 20
(not shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) that closes an opening at the
upper end of an engine compartment 18 is disposed in the front
portion of the vehicle V. The vehicle front portion structure 10 is
configured by the cowl 30, the airbag 64, the right and left pair
of inflators 65, and the right and left pair of steering
stabilizing braces 80. Each of these constituent elements will be
described in detail below.
[0048] (Configurations of Apron Upper Members and Suspension
Towers)
[0049] The right and left apron upper members 12 are each made by
stamping a steel sheet, for example, and extends in the vehicle
frontward and rearward direction on both right and left sides of
the engine compartment 18. The right and left front suspension
towers 14 are disposed at vehicle width direction inner sides and
vehicle lower sides of the right and left apron upper members
12.
[0050] The right and left suspension towers 14 are aluminum
castings, for example. Front suspensions (not shown in the
drawings) for front wheels are housed in the right and left
suspension towers 14. Suspension securing portions 14A1, to which
the upper end portions of the front suspensions are fastened and
secured, are disposed in the center portions of top walls 14A of
the right and left suspension towers 14.
[0051] (Configuration of Hood)
[0052] The hood 20 is placed above the engine compartment 18. The
hood 20 is configured by joining together outer peripheral edge
portions of a hood outer panel 22 forming the design surface of the
vehicle V and a hood inner panel 24 placed on a vehicle lower side
of the hood outer panel 22. The hood outer panel 22 and the hood
inner panel 24 are each made by stamping a steel sheet, for
example.
[0053] (Configuration of Cowl)
[0054] The cowl 30 is placed at a vehicle rear side of the hood 20
and above a dash panel 28 that partitions the engine compartment 18
from a cabin 26, and the cowl 30 extends in the vehicle width
direction. The cowl 30 includes a cowl panel 31, cowl side panels
32 (see FIG. 1), a cowl upper panel 33, a cowl front panel 34, a
right and left pair of cowl braces 37 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5), and
a right and left pair of cowl brackets 38 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 6).
Each of the constituent members of the cowl 30 is made by stamping
a steel sheet, for example. It should be noted that in the present
embodiment the right and left pair of cowl braces 37 are made of
thicker steel sheets than those of the other constituent members of
the cowl 30.
[0055] The cowl panel 31 extends in the vehicle width direction. As
shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the cowl panel 31 has a cross-sectional
hat shape whose vehicle upper side is open as seen in the vehicle
width direction. Specifically, the cowl panel 31 is equipped with a
front wall 31A and a rear wall 31B, which oppose each other in the
substantially vehicle frontward and rearward direction, and a
bottom wall 31C, which links lower end portions of the front wall
31A and the rear wall 31B in the substantially vehicle frontward
and rearward direction. A front flange 31A1 that extends in the
vehicle frontward direction is disposed at an upper end portion of
the front wall 31A, and a rear flange 31B1 that extends in the
vehicle rearward direction is disposed at an upper end portion of
the rear wall 31B. The cowl side panels 32 (see FIG. 1) are joined
to both vehicle width direction end portions of the cowl panel 31.
The front flange 31A1 corresponds to a "front end portion of the
cowl panel" in the present claims.
[0056] An upper edge portion of the dash panel 28 is joined to a
lower surface of a front portion of the bottom wall 31C of the cowl
panel 31. Furthermore, a cowl panel reinforcement 31R is joined to
a vehicle rear side of the cowl panel 31 in a state in which the
cowl panel reinforcement 31R straddles the bottom wall 31C and the
rear wall 31B. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, openings 39 for air
ducts are formed in parts of the bottom wall 31C of the cowl panel
31, and air duct brackets 40 are attached to an upper surface of
the bottom wall 31C at the edge portions of the openings 39.
[0057] The cowl upper panel 33 extends in the vehicle width
direction at a vehicle upper side of the cowl panel 31. The cowl
upper panel 33 has a rear end portion joined to an upper surface of
the rear flange 31B1 of the cowl panel 31 and extends in the
vehicle frontward direction from the rear flange 31B1. The cowl
upper panel 33 supports a lower end portion of the front windshield
16 via a seal member 41. It should be noted that wipers 42 (see
FIG. 3, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6; not shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG.
7) are placed above the lower end portion of the front windshield
16, and a cowl louver 43 is coupled to the lower end of the front
windshield 16.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8, the cowl front panel 34 is
configured by joining together a cowl front panel lower member 35
(hereinafter abbreviated as "the lower panel 35") and a cowl front
panel upper member 36 (hereinafter abbreviated as "the upper panel
36"). The lower panel 35 extends in the vehicle width direction at
a vehicle front side of the cowl panel 31. The lower panel 35 has a
rear end portion 35R joined to an upper surface of the front flange
31A1 of the cowl panel 31 and extends in the vehicle frontward
direction from the front flange 31A1. The lower panel 35 extends in
the vehicle frontward direction beyond the front windshield 16 and
is placed under a rear edge portion of the hood 20. The rear end
portion 35R corresponds to a "rear end portion of the cowl front
panel" in the present claims.
[0059] The upper panel 36 extends in the vehicle width direction at
a vehicle front side of the lower panel 35. A rear portion of the
upper panel 36 is laid on top of an upper surface of a front
portion of the lower panel 35, and a front portion of the upper
panel 36 extends in the vehicle frontward direction beyond the
lower panel 35. The upper panel 36 is fastened and secured to the
front portion of the lower panel 35 using plural bolts 45 and weld
nuts 46 aligned in the vehicle width direction. A front end portion
36F of the upper panel 36 supports a hood seal 52 via a
later-described resin cover 51.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, the right and left cowl braces 37 are
placed on both right and left sides relative to a vehicle width
direction center of the vehicle V and a little on vehicle width
direction inner sides of the right and left suspension towers 14.
As shown in FIG. 5, each cowl brace 37 bridges the front wall 31A
and the rear wall 31B of the cowl panel 31 and is secured to the
front wall 31A and the rear wall 31B. Specifically, each cowl brace
37 has a front fastening portion 37A that is laid on top of the
upper surface of the front flange 31A1, a brace body 37B that
extends in the vehicle rearward direction from a rear end of the
front fastening portion 37A, and a rear joining portion 37C that
extends in the vehicle upward direction from a rear end of the
brace body 37B and is joined to a front surface of the rear wall
31B. The front fastening portion 37A is fastened and secured to the
front flange 31A1 and a later-described reinforcement bracket 31F
using a bolt 47 and a weld nut 48. Each cowl brace 37, together
with the front wall 31A, the rear wall 31B, and the bottom wall
31C, forms a chamber. Namely, a region CS surrounded by the long
dashed short dashed line is formed as indicated in FIG. 12.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 2, the right and left cowl brackets 38 are
placed on both right and left sides relative to the vehicle width
direction center of the vehicle V and on the vehicle width
direction central sides of the right and left cowl braces 37. In
correspondence to these cowl brackets 38, a right and left pair of
bracket fastening portions 35R1 (see FIG. 6) that extend in the
vehicle rearward direction are formed at the rear end portion 35R
of the cowl front panel 34. The cowl brackets 38 bridge the bracket
fastening portions 35R1 and the bottom wall 31C of the cowl panel
31 and are secured to the bracket fastening portions 35R1 and the
bottom wall 31C.
[0062] Specifically, each cowl bracket 38 has a front fastening
portion 38A that is laid at a lower surface of the bracket
fastening portion 35R1 and is fastened and secured to the bracket
fastening portion 35R1 using a bolt 49 and nut 50, a bracket body
38B that extends obliquely in the vehicle rearward and downward
direction from a rear end of the front fastening portion 38A, and a
rear joining portion 38C that extends obliquely in the vehicle
rearward and upward direction from a lower end of the bracket body
38B and is joined to an upper surface of the bottom wall 31C of the
cowl panel 31. It should be noted that in the present embodiment
the right and left cowl braces 37 and the right and left cowl
brackets 38 are formed in bilaterally asymmetrical shapes, but they
are not limited to this and may also be formed in bilaterally
symmetrical shapes. Furthermore, in the present embodiment the rear
joining portions 38C of the right and left cowl brackets 38 are
joined to the bottom wall 31C, but the rear joining portions 38C
are not limited to this and may also be joined to the rear wall
31B.
[0063] (Configuration of Airbag Module)
[0064] The airbag module 60 configures the main part of a
pedestrian protecting airbag device and is disposed above the cowl
front panel 34. The airbag module 60 includes an airbag cover 61
(see FIG. 3 to FIG. 6; not shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 7),
the airbag 64 (see FIG. 1; not shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7), and a
right and left pair of inflators 65.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the airbag cover 61 has a
cover lower member 62 and a cover upper member 63 and extends in
the vehicle width direction. The cover lower member 62 is made by
stamping sheet metal, for example, and has a substantially hat
shape whose vehicle upper side is open as seen in the vehicle width
direction. The cover upper member 63 is made of resin, for example,
and has a substantially hat shape whose vehicle lower side is open
as seen in the vehicle width direction. The cover lower member 62
and the cover upper member 63 have flange portions laid on top of
each other and are joined to each other by means such as claw
fitting or double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Because
of this, the airbag cover 61 is formed as a substantially
rectangular hollow body as seen in the vehicle width direction.
[0066] It should be noted that a bulging portion (assigned no
reference sign) that bulges in the vehicle upward direction at a
vehicle front side of the airbag cover 61 is disposed at the cowl
front panel 34. Furthermore, a resin cover 51 is disposed at a
vehicle front side of the airbag cover 61, and the front portion of
the cowl front panel 34 is covered from the vehicle upper side by
the resin cover 51. The resin cover 51 bridges an upper surface of
a front edge portion of the cover upper member 63 and an upper
surface of the front end portion 36F of the upper panel 36 of the
cowl front panel 34 and is secured to the cover upper member 63 and
the front end portion 36F by means such as claw fitting or
double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. A hood seal 52 made
of rubber, for example, is attached to the upper surface of the
front end portion of the resin cover 51.
[0067] Inside the airbag cover 61 are housed the airbag 64 (see
FIG. 1) and the right and left pair of inflators 65. The airbag 64
is, for example, formed as a substantially C-shaped bag by laying
two base cloths and sewing their outer peripheral portions
together. The airbag 64 is inflated and deployed obliquely in the
vehicle rearward and upward direction and outwardly in the vehicle
width direction from a gap between a rear end portion of the hood
20 and the lower end portion of the front windshield 16 by gas
discharged from the right and left inflators 65. It should be noted
that arrows ED1 and arrows ED2 in FIG. 10 indicate the directions
in which the airbag 64 inflates and deploys.
[0068] In a state in which the airbag 64 has inflated and deployed,
as shown in FIG. 1, a bag body 64A of the airbag 64 extends in the
vehicle width direction along the lower end portion of the front
windshield 16, and a front surface of the lower end portion of the
front windshield 16 is covered by the bag body 64A. Furthermore, a
right and left pair of bag side portions 64B extend obliquely in
the vehicle rearward and upward direction from both vehicle width
direction end portions of the bag body 64A, and both vehicle width
direction end portions of the front windshield 16 and front
surfaces of a right and left pair of front pillars (not shown in
the drawings) are covered by the bag side portions 64B. The airbag
64 is housed inside the airbag cover 61 in a state in which the
airbag 64 has been folded up by a predetermined folding method such
as accordion folding or roll folding. It should be noted that FIG.
2 to FIG. 7 do not show the airbag 64 in its folded-up state.
Furthermore, the deployed shape of the airbag 64 described above is
an example and can be appropriately changed.
[0069] The right and left inflators 65 are placed with their
longitudinal direction coinciding with the vehicle width direction
at both right and left sides relative to the vehicle width
direction center of the vehicle V. The right and left inflators 65
are aligned and apart with an interval from each other in the
vehicle width direction inside the airbag cover 61. As shown in
FIG. 2, the right and left inflators 65 are placed at the vehicle
rear side and a little on the vehicle width direction inner sides
with respect to the right and left suspension towers 14. The
inflators 65 each includes an inflator body 66 and attachment
bracket 67.
[0070] The inflator body 66 is so-called cylinder type and is
placed in a posture where its axial direction lies along the
substantially vehicle width direction. The attachment bracket 67 is
made by stamping sheet metal, for example, and has a bracket body
67A curved in a circular arc shape as seen in the vehicle width
direction. The bracket body 67A is placed on a vehicle upper side
of the inflator body 66 and is secured to the inflator body 66 by a
right and left pair of securing bands (metal bands) 68 wrapped
around an outer peripheral surface of the inflator body 66.
[0071] A right and left pair of fastening pieces 67B extend in the
vehicle frontward direction from a front edge of the bracket body
67A. The right and left pair of fastening pieces 67B are placed an
interval apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The
front portions of the right and left pair of fastening pieces 67B
are laid on top of the upper surface of the front portion of the
cowl front panel 34 and are fastened and secured to the front
portion of the cowl front panel 34 using a right and left pair of
weld bolts 69 and nuts 70. Because of this, each inflator 65 is
fastened and secured to the front portion of the cowl front panel
34 at a vehicle front side relative to the inflator body 66. It
should be noted that in the following description, among the right
and left pair of fastening portions where the inflator 65 and the
cowl front panel 34 are fastened and secured to each other, the
fastening portion on the vehicle width direction inner side will be
called an "inner fastening portion 71" and the fastening portion on
the vehicle width direction outer side will be called an "outer
fastening portion 72." The inner fastening portion 71 and the outer
fastening portion 72 correspond to "two fastening portions" in the
present claims.
[0072] A squib (explosive device) (not shown in the drawings) is
disposed in a vehicle width direction inner end portion of each
inflator 65. Moreover, the inside of each inflator 65 is charged
with a gas generant that generates a large quantity of gas upon
burning. Furthermore, a gas discharge portion 66A is disposed in a
vehicle width direction outer end of each inflator 65. Plural gas
discharge holes are formed at a peripheral wall of each gas
discharge portion 66A, and gas is discharged from the plural gas
discharge holes when each inflator 65 is activated. It should be
noted that, although the inflators 65 of the present embodiment
uses a gas generant, an inflator having a high-pressure gas sealed
therein may also be used.
[0073] The inflators 65 are electrically connected to a controller
(airbag ECU) (not shown in the drawings) disposed near a central
portion of the floor of the cabin 26. The controller is
electrically connected to an impact detection sensor (not shown in
the drawings) disposed in a front bumper (not shown in the
drawings) of the vehicle V or an impact prediction sensor (not
shown in the drawings). As the impact detection sensor, for
example, a chamber type, where a long pressure tube or pressure
chamber and a pressure sensor are disposed along the front bumper
at a front surface side of a front bumper reinforcement, or an
optical fiber type can be applied. Furthermore, as the impact
prediction sensor, for example, a pre-crash sensor that uses
millimeter-wave radar or a stereo camera to predict a collision
with an impactor such as a pedestrian can be applied.
[0074] The controller outputs an activation signal to the right and
left inflators 65 when it has detected or predicted an impact with
a pedestrian on the basis of the output from the impact detection
sensor or the impact prediction sensor. Because of this, gas is
discharged from the gas discharge portions 66 of the inflators 65
to the inside of the airbag 64, and the airbag 64 inflates and
deploys. At this time, among the front end portion and the rear end
portion of the hood 20, at least the rear end portion is pushed up
in the vehicle upward direction by pop-up hood devices (not shown
in the drawings) (see FIG. 11, FIG. 12, and FIG. 15). Furthermore,
at this time, the cover upper member 63 of the airbag cover 61
receives the inflation pressure of the airbag 64 and becomes
separated from the cover lower member 62.
[0075] (Configuration of Steering Stabilizing Braces)
[0076] The right and left pair of steering stabilizing braces 80
are members for improving the steering stability of the vehicle V,
and bridge the right and left suspension towers 14 and the cowl 30
along the vehicle frontward and rearward direction. Each steering
stabilizing brace 80 has a brace body 81 serving as a member body
that is made of a metal pipe or the like in a long shape and is
placed with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the vehicle
frontward and rearward direction, a securing bracket 82 serving as
a suspension tower securing portion secured to the front end
portion of the brace body 81, and a bracket 85 serving as a support
portion secured to the rear end side of the brace body 81.
[0077] Each securing brackets 82 is placed at vehicle rear side of
the suspension securing portion 14A1 and on an upper surface of the
top wall 14A of the respective suspension towers 14. The securing
bracket 82 is made by stamping sheet metal, for example, and has
its rear portion secured to the front end portion of the brace body
81 by means such as welding. A bolt hole (not shown in the
drawings) is formed at the front portion of the securing bracket
82, and a bolt 83 inserted through the bolt hole is inserted
through a bolt hole (not shown in the drawings) formed at the top
wall 14A and screwed into a nut (not shown in the drawings).
Because of this, the securing brackets 82 each that is, the front
end portion of the steering stabilizing brace 80 is fastened and
secured at the top wall 14A of the suspension tower 14.
[0078] Each brace body 81 extends toward the cowl 30 from the
securing bracket 82. Specifically, the bracket body 81 extends in
the vehicle rearward direction and a little inward in the vehicle
width direction from the securing bracket 82, and the rear end side
of the brace body 81 is placed at a vehicle lower side of the cowl
front panel 34. Longitudinal direction rear end portion of the
brace body 81, which is the rear end portion of the steering
stabilizing brace 80, is placed at a vehicle front side of the cowl
brace 37.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, a cowl fastening portion 81R
crushed into flat plate shape is formed at the rear end portion of
each of the brace bodies 81. The cowl fastening portion 81R is laid
on top of the upper surface of the front fastening portion 37A of
the cowl brace 37 and is fastened and secured at the front
fastening portion 37A and the front flange 31A1 of the cowl panel
31 using the bolt 47 and the weld nut 48. Because of this, the
right and left suspension towers 14 are connected via the right and
left steering stabilizing braces 80 to the sections of the cowl 30
where the right and left cowl braces 37 are disposed. Hereinafter,
the portions where each of the cowl fastening portions 81R, each of
the front fastening portions 37A, and each of the front flange 31A1
are fastened to each other will be called "cowl brace securing
portions 84."
[0080] It should be noted that a reinforcement bracket 31F is
placed at a vehicle lower side of the respective cowl brace
securing portions 84. The reinforcement bracket 31F is joined to
the front surface of the front wall 31A of the cowl panel 31, and a
flange 31F1 disposed at an upper end portion of the reinforcement
bracket 31F is laid at a lower surface of the front flange 31A1.
The weld nut 48 is joined to the lower surface of the flanges 31F1,
such that the flange 31F1, the front flange 31A1, the front
fastening portion 37A, and the cowl fastening portion 81R are
fastened and secured to each other in a four-layer stacked state.
The cowl brace securing portions 84 are each reinforced by the
reinforcement bracket 31F.
[0081] A bracket 85 is disposed at a rear end side of the
respective brace bodies 81, at a vehicle front side of the cowl
fastening portion 81R. The bracket 85 is respectively placed under
the front portions of the cowl front panel 34 and a little on
vehicle width direction outer sides of the inner fastening portions
71 of the respective inflators 65. Each bracket 85 extends in the
vehicle upward direction from an upper surface of the brace body
81. Each bracket 85 is positioned obliquely at the vehicle front
and lower side of the inflator 65. Each bracket 85 is made by
stamping sheet metal, for example, and has substantially hat shape
as seen in the vehicle width direction.
[0082] Specifically, each bracket 85 is formed by an upper
fastening portion 85A that is laid at the lower surface of the
front portion of the cowl front panel 34, a front leg 85B and a
rear leg 85C that extend in the vehicle downward direction from
both front and rear ends of the upper fastening portion 85A, a
front joining portion 85D that extends in the vehicle frontward
direction from the lower end of the front leg 85B, and a rear
joining portion 85E that extends in the vehicle rearward direction
from the lower end of the rear leg 85C. It should be noted that the
configuration of the brackets 85 is not limited to what is
described above and can be appropriately changed. For example, each
bracket 85 may also has a configuration where the rear leg 85C and
the rear joining portion 85E are omitted. Furthermore, the material
of the brackets 85 (support portions) is not limited to sheet
metal, and the brackets 85 may also be made of metal pipes or the
like.
[0083] The front joining portion 85D and the rear joining portion
85E are laid on top of the upper surface of the brace body 81 and
are joined to the brace body 81 by means such as welding. The upper
fastening portion 85A is fastened and secured to the cowl front
panel 34 using sets of the plural bolts 45 and weld nuts 46 that
fasten the lower panel 35 and the upper panel 36 of the cowl front
panel 34 to each other. Because of this, the front portion of the
cowl front panel 34 is supported from the vehicle front sides and
the vehicle lower sides of the inflators 65 by the brackets 85 that
is, the steering stabilizing braces 80.
[0084] It should be noted that in the following description the
each portion where the bracket 85 and the cowl front panel 34 are
fastened and secured to each other will be called "steering
stabilizing brace securing portion 86." The steering stabilizing
brace securing portion 86 corresponds to a "portion where the
support member and the cowl front panel are secured to each other"
in the present claim. The steering stabilizing brace securing
portions 86 each is positioned at the vehicle front side of the
inflator bodies 66 and is placed at the vehicle front side relative
to a rear end 65R of the inflator 65 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 10). The
respective rear ends 65R are the sections of the inflator bodies 66
positioned furthest in the vehicle rearward direction in the
vehicle frontward and rearward direction. In the present
embodiment, the inflator bodies 66 are slanted a little relative to
the vehicle width direction so that they become positioned more in
the vehicle rearward direction heading outward in the vehicle width
direction, so the rear ends 65R of the inflators 65 are positioned
on the vehicle width direction outer end portions of the inflator
bodies 66.
[0085] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG. 10, the
steering stabilizing brace securing portions 86 are placed in
alignment in the vehicle width direction with the inner fastening
portions 71 and the outer fastening portions 72 within regions in
the vehicle width direction where the inflators 65 are placed.
Specifically, each steering stabilizing brace securing portion 86
is placed between the inner fastening portion 71 and the outer
fastening portion 72 of either one of the inflators 65 and is
placed adjacent to the vehicle width direction outer side of the
inner fastening portion 71.
[0086] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 2, the right and left steering stabilizing braces 80 are
formed in bilaterally asymmetrical shapes, but the right and left
steering stabilizing braces 80 are not limited to this and may also
be formed in bilaterally symmetrical shapes. Furthermore, in the
present embodiment, one or plural bends are formed in the brace
bodies 81 of the right and left steering stabilizing braces 80, but
the brace bodies 81 are not limited to this and may also be formed
in straight shapes. Furthermore, the shape of the right and left
steering stabilizing braces 80 can be appropriately changed
depending on their relationship with parts (engine, transmission,
auxiliaries, etc.) disposed inside the engine compartment 18.
[0087] (Action and Effects)
[0088] Next, the action and effects of the present embodiment will
be described.
[0089] In the vehicle front portion structure 10 having the
configuration described above, the steering stabilizing braces 80,
whose front end portions are secured to the strong and rigid
suspension towers 14, extend toward the cowl 30. The steering
stabilizing braces 80 are secured to the cowl front panel 34 at the
vehicle front sides relative to the rear ends 65R of the inflators
65 and support the front portion of the cowl front panel 34.
[0090] Here, when the inflators 65 are activated, the airbag 64
inflates and deploys obliquely in the vehicle rearward and upward
direction and outwardly in the vehicle width direction (see arrows
ED1 and arrows ED2 in FIG. 10). At this time, as shown in FIG. 11,
obliquely forward and downward reaction forces RF1 act on the
inflators 65, but the cowl front panel 34 is supported by the
steering stabilizing braces 80 at the vehicle front sides relative
to the rear ends 65R of the inflators 65. Because of this,
deformation of the cowl 30 at the time of airbag deployment can be
effectively controlled. As a result, it becomes possible to stably
inflate and deploy the airbag 64 to its intended position.
[0091] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the securing
brackets 82 disposed at the front end portions of the steering
stabilizing braces 80 are secured to the suspension towers 14, and
the cowl fastening portions 81R disposed at the rear end portions
of the steering stabilizing braces 80 are secured to the cowl panel
31. The steering stabilizing braces 80 are secured to the cowl
front panel 34 at the vehicle front sides relative to the rear ends
65R of the inflators 65. Because of this, vibration of the cowl
front panel 34 at the time when the inflators 65 are activated can
be allowed to escape via the steering stabilizing braces 80 to a
member disposed at the vehicle rear side of the cowl front panel
34, such as the cowl panel 31. As a result, deformation of the cowl
30 at the time of airbag deployment can be even more effectively
controlled.
[0092] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12,
the cowl fastening portions 81R, which are the rear end portions of
the steering stabilizing braces 80, are secured to the cowl brace
securing portions 84, which are the portions where the front flange
31A1 disposed on the front wall 31A of the cowl panel 31 and the
cowl braces 37 are secured to each other. The cowl braces 37 are
secured to the front wall 31A and the rear wall 31B of the cowl
panel 31 and, together with the front wall 31A, the rear wall 31B,
and the bottom wall 31C, form chambers (see region CS surrounded by
the long dashed short dashed line in FIG. 12). The cowl brace
securing portions 84 are reinforced by the chambers, so the cowl
fastening portions 81R of the steering stabilizing braces 80 are
strongly supported. Because of this, the rigidity with which the
cowl front panel 34 is supported by the steering stabilizing braces
80 is improved, so deformation of the cowl 30 can be even more
effectively controlled. In particular, deformation of the cowl 30
with respect to the obliquely forward and downward reaction forces
RF1 can be even more effectively controlled.
[0093] Moreover, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13,
the inflators 65 are fastened and secured at the front portion of
the cowl front panel 34 at the inner fastening portions 71 and the
outer fastening portions 72 aligned in the vehicle width direction.
Vehicle width direction inward reaction forces RF2 act on the
inflators 65 at the time of airbag deployment in addition to the
obliquely forward and downward reaction forces RF1. At this time,
vehicle width direction inward forces F1 and F2 also act on the
inner fastening portions 71 and the outer fastening portions 72 of
the inflators 65.
[0094] With respect to this point, in the present embodiment, the
steering stabilizing brace securing portions 86, which are the
portions where the steering stabilizing braces 80 and the cowl
front panel 34 are secured to each other, are aligned in the
vehicle width direction with the inner fastening portions 71 and
the outer fastening portions 72 within the regions in the vehicle
width direction where the inflators 65 are placed. Because of this,
the vehicle width direction inward forces F1 and F2 can be
efficiently supported by the steering stabilizing braces 80. As a
result, deformation of the cowl front panel 34 caused by the forces
F1 and F2 is controlled, so the effect of stabilizing the
deployment direction of the airbag 64 is improved even more.
[0095] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the inflators 65 are
fastened and secured to the cowl front panel 34 at the inner
fastening portions 71 and the outer fastening portions 72 as
described above, so the sections of the cowl front panel 34 between
the inner fastening portions 71 and the outer fastening portions 72
are reinforced by the inflators 65. Additionally, the steering
stabilizing brace securing portions 86 are placed in these
reinforced sections. Because of this, the effect of controlling
deformation of the cowl front panel 34 with respect to the forces
F1 and F2 is improved compared, for example, to a case where the
steering stabilizing brace securing portions 86 are placed away
from and on the vehicle width direction inner sides of the inner
fastening portions 71 or a case where the steering stabilizing
brace securing portions 86 are placed away from and on the vehicle
width direction outer sides of the outer fastening portions 72.
[0096] Moreover, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, at
the time of normal travel, vehicle horizontal direction input
forces FS applied from the front suspensions to the top walls 14A
of the suspension towers 14 are transmitted via the steering
stabilizing braces 80 to the cowl front panel 34 (see arrows FC in
FIG. 14). The steering stabilizing braces 80 are secured to the
sections of the cowl front panel 34 reinforced by the inflators 65
as described above, so deformation of the cowl front panel 34 at
these reinforced sections is controlled, and the support rigidity
of the steering stabilizing braces 80 is improved. As a result, the
suspension towers 14 to which the front end portions of the
steering stabilizing braces 80 are secured are reinforced by the
steering stabilizing braces 80, so the steering stability and
riding performance of the vehicle V can be improved.
[0097] It should be noted that the steering stabilizing braces 80
bridge the suspension towers 14 and the cowl panel 30, but because
the cowl panel 30 is made of a steel sheet or the like whose sheet
thickness is thin, its rigidity is not high and it tends to become
deformed by the vehicle horizontal direction input forces
transmitted from the suspension towers 14. In the case of a
configuration where the steering stabilizing braces 80 are not
secured to the portions of the cowl front panel 34 around the
inflators 65, it may be difficult to sufficiently realize an
improvement in steering stability and riding performance, but in
the present embodiment these can be realized because of the
configuration described above.
[0098] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11,
each of the steering stabilizing braces 80 has the bracket 85
positioned obliquely on the vehicle front and lower sides of the
respective inflators 65, and each bracket 85 is secured to the cowl
front panel 34. Each bracket 85 is positioned in the direction in
which the reaction force RF1 acts. Because of this, the reaction
force RF1 can be efficiently supported by the bracket 85, so the
effect of controlling deformation of the cowl 30 at the time of
airbag deployment is further improved.
[0099] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15,
the front fastening portions 38A, each of which is the front end
portion of the cowl bracket 38, are secured to the rear end portion
35R of the cowl front panel 34. Each cowl bracket 38 extends in the
vehicle rearward direction, and the rear joining portion 38C, which
is the rear end portion of the cowl bracket 38, is secured to the
bottom wall 31C of the cowl panel 31. Because of this, the cowl
front panel 34 is supported from the vehicle rear side via the cowl
brackets 38. Because of this, the support for the reaction forces
RF1 acting obliquely in the vehicle frontward and downward
direction at the inflators 65 can be reinforced, so the effect of
controlling deformation of the cowl 30 at the time of airbag
deployment can be improved even more.
[0100] In this way, in the present embodiment, deformation of the
cowl 30 caused by the obliquely forward and downward reaction
forces RF1 is controlled because the inflators 65 are efficiently
supported from both sides in the vehicle frontward and rearward
direction, so the deployment direction of the airbag 64 can be
effectively stabilized.
[0101] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each steering
stabilizing brace 80 is secured to the cowl front panel 34 on the
vehicle front side relative to the rear ends 65R of the inflators
65 that are heavy objects. Because of this, vibration of the cowl
front panel 34 in the vehicle upward and downward directions at the
time of normal travel (see arrow U and arrow D in FIG. 9) can be
effectively controlled. That is to say, in the case of a
configuration where the front portion of the front panel 34 is not
supported by the steering stabilizing braces 80, the cowl front
panel 34 has a cantilever structure where its rear end portion 35R
is supported on the cowl panel 31. For this reason, there is the
potential for the front portion side of the cowl front panel 34 to
vibrate a great extent in the vehicle vertical direction as the
vehicle V travels and for the durability of the cowl 30 to decrease
with respect to input forces during travel over many years. With
respect to this point, in the present embodiment, vibration of the
cowl front panel 34 is controlled, so the durability of the cowl 30
can be well ensured.
[0102] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the front end
portions of the steering stabilizing braces 80 are secured to the
top walls 14A of the suspension towers 14 positioned on the upper
end side of the engine compartment 18, and the steering stabilizing
braces 80 extend toward the cowl 30 from the top walls 14A. Because
of this, the steering stabilizing braces 80 can be disposed on the
vehicle upper side of parts (engine, transmission, auxiliaries,
etc.) disposed in the area around the suspension towers 14 and the
cowl 30, so it is easy to ensure space for disposing the steering
stabilizing braces 80 and the flexibility of setting the shape of
the steering stabilizing braces 80 may be improved.
[0103] It should be noted that it is also conceivable, for example,
to dispose support members that extend in the vehicle upward
direction from vehicle skeleton members such as front side members
joined to the lower end portions of the suspension towers 14 and to
secure the support members to the cowl front panel 34. However, in
the case of such a configuration, it becomes difficult to ensure
space for disposing the support members due to the relationship
with the aforementioned parts (engine, transmission, auxiliaries,
etc.) and the flexibility of setting the shape of the support
members may drop, but in the present embodiment this can be
avoided.
[0104] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the steering
stabilizing braces 80 for improving the steering stability of the
vehicle V are also used as support members for controlling
deformation of the cowl 30. For this reason, compared to a case
where support members are disposed separately from the steering
stabilizing braces 80, the mass of the vehicle V and the number of
parts can be reduced.
[0105] It should be noted that, although in the present embodiment
the steering stability brace securing portions 86, which are the
portions where the steering stabilizing braces 80 and the cowl
front panel 34 are secured to each other, are placed between the
inner fastening portions 71 and the outer fastening portions 72 of
the inflators 65, the present invention is not limited to this.
That is, the steering stability brace securing portions 86 may also
be placed adjacent to the vehicle width direction inner sides of
the inner fastening portions 71 or may be placed adjacent to the
vehicle width direction outer sides of the outer fastening portions
72. In that case, it is preferred that the steering stability brace
securing portions 86 be placed as close as possible to the inner
fastening portions 71 or the outer fastening portions 72. Doing so
results in the same action and effects as in the first embodiment
being obtained.
[0106] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the inflators 65 are
secured to the cowl front panel 34 at two fastening portions each
(the inner fastening portions 71 and the outer fastening portions
72), but the present invention is not limited to this, and the
inflators 65 may also be secured to the cowl front panel at three
or more fastening portions.
[0107] Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be
described. It should be noted that, regarding configurations and
action that are basically the same as those in the first
embodiment, reference signs that are the same as those in the first
embodiment will be assigned thereto and description thereof will be
omitted.
Second Embodiment
[0108] In FIG. 16 a vehicle front portion structure 100 equipped
with a pedestrian airbag device pertaining to a second embodiment
of the present invention is shown by way of a plan view
corresponding to FIG. 2. This embodiment differs from the first
embodiment in that it has a connection member 102 that links the
right and left pair of inflators 65 in the vehicle width direction.
The connection member 102 is made of a metal pipe, for example, and
is placed with its longitudinal direction coinciding with the
vehicle width direction between the right and left inflators 65.
Both longitudinal direction end portions of the connection member
102 are secured via brackets (not shown in the drawings) to the
vehicle width direction inner end portions of the right and left
inflators 65. Because of this, the vehicle width direction inner
end portions of the right and left inflators 65 are joined to each
other by the connection member 102. It should be noted that the
material of the connection member 102 is not limited to a metal
pipe and can be appropriately changed, but a strong and rigid
material, such as metal or fiber-reinforced plastic, is preferred.
In this embodiment, configurations other than those described above
are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0109] In this embodiment, when the right and left inflators 65
discharge gas from the gas discharge portions 66A disposed in their
vehicle width direction outer end portions, reaction forces RF2
applied inward in the vehicle width direction to the right and left
inflators 65 act so as to compress the connection member 102 in its
axial direction. Because of this, the reaction forces RF2 can be
cancelled out. As a result, deformation of the cowl front panel 34
caused by the reaction forces RF2 can be controlled, which
contributes even more to the effect of stabilizing the deployment
direction of the airbag 64.
Third Embodiment
[0110] In FIG. 17 a vehicle front portion structure 110 equipped
with a pedestrian airbag device pertaining to a third embodiment of
the present invention is shown by way of a plan view corresponding
to FIG. 2. The airbag module 60 pertaining to this embodiment is
equipped with one inflator 112 instead of the right and left pair
of inflators 65 pertaining to the first embodiment. The inflator
112 is placed in the vehicle width direction central portion of the
cowl front panel 34 and has an inflator body 114 and an attachment
bracket 116. The inflator body 114 is a cylinder type inflator like
the inflators 65 but it has gas discharge portions 114A in both
axial direction end portions and its dimension in the vehicle width
direction is set larger than that of each inflator 65.
[0111] The attachment bracket 116 has the same configuration as
that of the attachment brackets 67 pertaining to the first
embodiment, but its dimension in the vehicle width direction is set
larger than that of the attachment brackets 67. The attachment
bracket 116 has a bracket body 116A, which is secured to the upper
surface of the inflator body 114, and plural (here, three)
fastening pieces 116B, which extend in the vehicle frontward
direction from the front edge portion of the bracket body 116A. The
front portions of the three fastening pieces 116B are fastened and
secured to the front portion of the cowl front panel 34 using the
weld bolts 69 and the nuts 70 (see FIG. 4). Because of this, the
inflator 112 is fastened and secured to the front portion of the
cowl front panel 34 on the vehicle front side of the inflator body
114.
[0112] When the inflator 112 is activated by the controller (not
shown in the drawings), the inflator 112 discharges gas from the
right and left gas discharge portions 114A. The right and left gas
discharge portions 114A are placed in the neighborhoods of the
vehicle rear sides of the steering stability brace securing
portions 86, that is, the portions where the steering stabilizing
braces 80 and the cowl front panel 34 are secured to each other. In
this embodiment, configurations other than those described above
are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0113] In this embodiment, when the inflator 112 discharges gas
from the right and left gas discharge portions 114A, the reaction
forces RF2, which are applied inward in the vehicle width direction
to both vehicle width direction end portions of the inflator 112,
can be cancelled out by the inflator 112 itself. Furthermore, the
right and left gas discharge portions 114A are placed in the
neighborhoods of the vehicle rear sides of the right and left
steering stability brace securing portions 86. Because of this, the
obliquely forward and downward reaction forces RF1 (not shown in
FIG. 17) applied to the right and left gas discharge portions 114A
can be efficiently supported by the right and left steering
stabilizing braces 80. As a result, deformation of the cowl 30
caused by the reaction forces RF1 can be effectively
controlled.
[0114] <Supplemental Description of Embodiments>
[0115] In each of the embodiments, an example is described where
the lower panel 35 and the upper panel 36 are joined to each other
to configure the cowl front panel 34, but the present invention is
not limited to this and the configuration of the cowl front panel
can be appropriately changed. For example, the cowl front panel may
also be configured by a single panel.
[0116] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the suspension towers
14 (front suspension towers) are placed on the vehicle front sides
of the inflators 65, and the cowl fastening portions 81R, which are
the rear end portions of the steering stabilizing braces 80
(support members), are secured to the cowl panel 31, but the
present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the
front suspension towers may also be placed on the vehicle lower
sides of the inflators, with one end portion of each support member
being secured to the front suspension towers and the other end
portion of each support member being secured to the cowl front
panel.
[0117] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the steering stability
brace securing portions 86 are placed on the vehicle front sides of
the inflators 65, but the present invention is not limited to this.
For example, the steering stability brace securing portions 86 may
also be placed on the vehicle lower sides of the inflators 65 or
may be placed on the vehicle width direction inner sides of the
inflators 65. However, it is preferred that the steering stability
brace securing portions 86 be positioned on the vehicle front sides
of the rear ends 65R of the inflators 65 that are heavy
objects.
[0118] Furthermore, each of the embodiments has a configuration
equipped with the right and left pair of cowl braces 37 and the
right and left pair of cowl brackets 38, but the present invention
is not limited to this and may also have a configuration where all
or some of the right and left pair of cowl braces 37 and the right
and left pair of cowl brackets 38 are omitted.
[0119] Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, the steering
stabilizing braces 80 have the brackets 85 positioned obliquely on
the vehicle front and lower sides of the inflators 65, and the
brackets 85 are secured to the cowl front panel 34, but the present
invention is not limited to this. For example, parts of the brace
bodies 81 may also be bent in the vehicle upward direction and
directly secured to the cowl front panel 34.
[0120] Furthermore, in each of the embodiments, the steering
stabilizing braces 80 extend in the vehicle rearward direction from
the top walls 14A of the suspension towers 14, but the present
invention is not limited to this. For example, the steering
stabilizing braces 80 may also extend in the vehicle rearward
direction or the vehicle upward direction from the walls on the
vehicle rear sides or the walls on the vehicle width direction
inner sides of the suspension towers 14.
[0121] It goes without saying that the scope of the present
invention is not limited to the embodiments.
* * * * *